Severe drought declared in parts of southern England
A severe drought has been declared across parts of southern England following an exceptionally hot summer and low rainfall. The Environment Agency is implementing stricter monitoring of water usage and reservoir levels to ensure supply stability.
Why it matters
This highlights the increasing strain of climate change on critical infrastructure and the necessity for proactive resource management in the UK.
Image caption, Water levels have fallen at Wimbleball reservoir on Exmoor
A severe drought has been declared across parts of southern England after months of low rainfall.
It was declared in parts of Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, East Sussex and West Sussex.
The announcement by the Environment Agency follows a meeting of the National Drought Group, which reviewed water resources and drought conditions across England.
Supplies have been significantly impacted by high demand following the hottest summer on record.
The latest figures , external show Wimbleball Reservoir on Exmoor is at 14.9% capacity. Other major reservoirs are also low, including Roadford in Devon at 36.8%, Burrator at 33.6%, Colliford in Cornwall at 35% and Stithians at 21.9%.
The Environment Agency has classed Colliford and Wimbleball as having exceptionally low levels , external .
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